5 perfect presents make gift-giving easy

If you’re stumped as to what to get that impossible-to-buy-for person, consider these gift ideas to brighten anyone’s holiday:

Gift your services

Rather than giving a tangible item, give your services; it’s the perfectly practical gift for the person on your list who may be short on space, lacking financial resources or would just appreciate a little extra help. Love kids? Offer free child care. Have a knack for cooking? Gift a weeknight meal that you deliver to the recipient’s doorstep. Known for your organization? Offer to help the recipient organize a cluttered space.

Make a miracle happen

Positively impacting others by giving a charitable gift in the recipient’s name embraces the true meaning of the season. The new Give Miracles Holiday Catalog from national nonprofit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals features in-demand pediatric items and services children’s hospitals need ­— anything from teddy bears ($30) to a case of extra-small preemie diapers smaller than the palm of your hand ($170)! For high-impact gifts like a pediatric wheelchair ($970), funds can be raised by numerous gift-givers. Browse the gift catalog at www.givemiracles.org.

Monthly memberships

Give a gift that benefits the recipient all year long. Monthly clubs provide fun deliveries to a loved one’s address, an ongoing reminder of your generosity. Monthly gift clubs are available for just about anything, including wine and beer to jams, cheese, bacon and fruit.

Give a gift that grows

Potted plants are a fantastic gift idea because they represent how your love continues to grow for that special someone. With so many houseplants available, you’re sure to find the perfect one for the person who has everything.

Provide an experience

Often, it’s not what’s in the box, it’s the memory that stays with so many people after the holidays have passed. That’s why giving a special experience can make a truly meaningful gift. Think about what really interests the recipient or an activity they’ve had on their bucket list. Perhaps it’s a hot air balloon ride or a white water rafting daytrip. If the person really loves to shop, hire a personal shopper for the day and let them see what it’s like to live like a star. If the recipient loves gourmet food, purchase a spot in a class taught by your town’s hottest chef.

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